Canberra products Ryan Carters and Jason Behrendorff have been rewarded for outstanding Sheffield Shield seasons, earning spots in the competition's team of the year.
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But only one will be able to walk away with the ultimate prize when NSW takes on Western Australia in the final, starting on Friday.
Carters has revelled in his switch to NSW on a rookie contract after spending the past few years as a fringe player in Victoria.
He has taken his batting to another level, scoring his maiden first-class century among a total of 789 runs at an average of 56.36 to lock down the opening role with the Blues.
Behrendorff has been just as impressive with the ball for the Warriors, the left-arm paceman taking 34 wickets at 22.5 to emerge as one of the most exciting quicks in the country.
Carters said he had exceeded his expectations with his move to NSW, with his sights now firmly set on achieving the ultimate goal.
''I'm very happy with how the season has gone,'' he said. ''It's been very exciting to not only make my Blues debut at the start of the year, but to play nearly all of the games and find a spot at the top of the order and be a part of some crucial wins.
''Hopefully we can go one better and bring a shield championship to NSW.''
ACT Meteors fast bowler Rene Farrell received recognition for her summer, being named in both the Women's National Cricket League 50-over and Twenty20 teams of the season.
Farrell's strong form led to her recall to the Australian Southern Stars for the Ashes and also the women's Twenty20 World Cup in Bangladesh.
Meanwhile, ACT Comets all-rounder Vele Dukoski wants to follow in the footsteps of teammates Jono and Blake Dean into the Big Bash League after being named the Futures League player of the year.
Dukoski made a sudden impact in his debut season for the Comets, scoring 314 runs at an average of 39 to go with 16 wickets at 17.
After having seen Jono (Adelaide Strikers) and Blake Dean (Sydney Thunder) earn their shots in the BBL, Dukoski believes his game also suits the Twenty20 format.
"That's what I'm better at, slogging, than playing the four-day version, I don't have much patience,'' he said. "I enjoy the shorter games and the way I play my cricket is pretty aggressive, so it suits my game.''
